Thanks to Troms County Council, the Centre for Northern Peoples was able to send a representative down to Berlin, and Isak Kvitfjell had the honour of representing the centre and Northern Norway at the prestigious international fair Grüne Woche in Berlin. For Isak, who now lives in Skibotn, this is an opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of Northern Norway with a Sami perspective.
Passion for the authentic
Isak has always had a passion for communicating the stories and traditions of Northern Norway and the Sami culture. As a communicator, he has used his background to create experiences around Sámi history and the Sámi presence in Northern Norway and Norway in general.
- "Tourism is about more than just showcasing beautiful nature. It's about sharing the culture, language and stories that make a place unique," says Isak.
Representing Northern Norway
Grüne Woche, one of the world's largest trade fairs for food, agriculture and adventure tourism, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. Norway has long had a strong presence at the fair, and this year Isak will be one of the key profiles. Among other things, he will be presenting the spectacular tourism in Northern Norway and showing how Sami culture plays an important role in the region's identity.
Among the activities he is planning are presentations on storytelling around the hearth and demonstrations of Sami handicrafts. Isak will also emphasise Northern Norway's unique natural phenomena, such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, as attractions for international visitors.
A global audience
For Isak, participating in Grüne Woche is not only a personal milestone, but also a unique opportunity to raise awareness of Northern Norway as a travel destination. With several of the world's leading players in the travel industry present, the fair will be a hub for the exchange of ideas and inspiration.
- "I'm looking forward to meeting people from different cultures and sharing the uniqueness of Northern Norway and the Sami culture. I hope to inspire more people to experience it for themselves," says Isak.
A tribute to Northern Norway
The trip to Berlin is also a tribute to the many people working to preserve and promote Sami culture and traditions in Northern Norway. Isak emphasises the collaboration with local Sámi tourism operators as a key part of cultural preservation work.
- "Without the rich cultural heritage and strong communities in Northern Norway, I couldn't have done this. This is an opportunity to show the world what we can achieve when we take care of our history and nature," he concludes.